Ex-Diageo manager joins Amber Beverage Group

Amber Beverage Group (ABG) is welcoming a new senior team member.

Vangelis Smyrlis has been appointed as managing director EMEIA and GTR, effective from 2 August. He will be responsible for managing direct sales of ABG's brands in Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa and throughout travel retail.

Prior to joining ABG, Smyrlis worked for seven years as a regional director in Europe for William Grant & Sons and spent 13 years at Diageo in various management roles. He has worked in senior positions with brands including Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff and Guinness in the drinks sector, Oakley, Calvin Klein and Dolce and Gabbana in eyewear, and Heinz and Tulip in food.

Of his appointment at ABG, Smyrlis said: "I am hugely excited to join a dynamic company like ABG with a growth ambition that is immensely energising. The possibilities ahead of us are endless and the people I am joining have the entrepreneurial spirit, resilience and competencies to achieve the extraordinary."

Jekaterina Stuģe, Amber Beverage Group CEO, said: "I am excited to call Vangelis my colleague as he is a true match to Amber Beverage Group's DNA: he starts every day with a high motivation to reach the desired results; he is an outstanding strategist, great team player, but most importantly, a wise and inspirational leader.

"Every year since establishing ABG we have grown our global footprint and together with Vangelis I am confident that we will unlock even more new opportunities in EMEIA and GTR that will help us reach our goal of becoming one of the top 10 spirits industry players."

ABG produces, bottles, markets, distributes, exports and retails a range of more than 600 own and third-party beverage brands, from premium vodka and Tequila to sparkling wine. It has around 2,000 employees in almost 20 companies in the Baltic states, Austria, Australia, Russia, Mexico and the UK.

9 August 2021 - Bethany Whymark